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New "disembodied disconnect hypothesis" offers fresh perspective on digital technology's impact on social interaction

A new study introduces a novel hypothesis that digital technologies affect human sociality and mental health, particularly among youth. The Disembodied Disconnect Hypothesis suggests cultivating rich personal relationships in face-to-face communities to counterbalance disembodied digital interactions.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalCyberpsychology Behavior and Social Networking·TypeSystematic review·DateJul 10, 2024

Robert A. Rissman, Ph.D., receives the 2024 Alzheimer Award

Dr. Rissman's research uses plasma Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio to predict brain amyloid PET positivity and identify individuals at risk for Alzheimer's disease. His findings demonstrate the potential of a blood test to screen for amyloid in preclinical AD trials.

SourceIOS Press·JournalJournal of Alzheimer’s Disease·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJul 9, 2024

The Long-term Ecological Research Network research infrastructure can help scaling up ecological restoration: Insights from a questionnaire

A long-term ecological research network can help scale up ecological restoration in Europe by providing standardized and open-access data on natural ecosystems. The network's knowledge and expertise cover most European habitats and degradation states, enabling the development of a harmonized monitoring framework for EU-wide evaluation.

SourceHun-Ren Ökológiai Kutatóközpont·JournalJournal of Environmental Management·TypeSurvey·DateJul 7, 2024

Uncovering “Blockbuster T cells” in the gut wins NOSTER & Science Microbiome Prize

Researchers have identified a novel type of T cell that can recognize and respond to multiple bacterial strains in the gut. This breakthrough finding has significant implications for treating diseases such as cancer and inflammatory bowel disease. The discovery was made by Kazuki Nagashima, winner of the NOSTER & Science Microbiome Prize.

Editorial: Genomics has more to reveal

A new editorial paper discusses molecular and cytogenetic analyses used to identify distinct subtypes of acute myeloid leukemias (AML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Researchers found that around 15% of AML cases remain genetically unclassifiable, emphasizing the need for further research.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJul 2, 2024

Following your nose into the swarm

Researchers from the University of Konstanz discovered that locusts adapt their sense of smell when they switch to a gregarious lifestyle. This adaptation allows them to better detect food odours in the swarm's complex environment, enabling them to find food despite being in a crowded swarm.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 1, 2024

Pusan National University researchers assess the impact of repeated item development faculty training on item difficulty prediction

A study by Pusan National University researchers found that repeated item development training enhances faculty members' accuracy in predicting and adjusting item difficulty levels, leading to better educational outcomes. The training improved the quality of MCQ assessments in medical education.

SourcePusan National University·JournalBMC Medical Education·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 1, 2024

New class of Mars quakes reveals daily meteorite strikes

Researchers estimate that between 280 to 360 meteorites strike Mars each year, forming impact craters greater than 8 meters across. The study uses seismic data from the NASA InSight Mission to make this estimate, which is five times higher than previously thought.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 28, 2024

Clean Water Act leaves about 55% of water flowing out of rivers vulnerable to pollution, new study suggests

A new study reveals that the Supreme Court's ruling weakening the Clean Water Act leaves many US waterways vulnerable to pollution. Ephemeral streams, which only flow during weather events, contribute significantly to river systems' total output, with 55% of water coming from them on average.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalScience·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 27, 2024

Invasive ants spread by hitchhiking on everyday vehicles

Researchers found that ants need three main things to succeed when hitchhiking: climbing ability, foraging/colonizing behaviors, and temperature tolerance. The study tracked the spread of invasive ants through non-commercial transport on personal vehicles, highlighting a significant threat to native species.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalEcological Entomology·DateJun 27, 2024

AI successfully helps detecting more breast cancers around Danish capital

A new study from the University of Copenhagen reveals that AI has helped detect significantly more cases of breast cancer and reduce radiologist workloads. The AI system has been used to analyze tens of thousands of X-rays every year, resulting in a 12% increase in detected cases, including more small tumours of one centimetre or less.

Wolves reintroduced to Isle Royale temporarily affect other carnivores, humans have influence as well

Researchers found that wolves on Isle Royale initially affected foxes and martens by altering their habitats and diets. However, as the wolves formed packs, the effects on these carnivores disappeared. Interestingly, human visitors had a more significant impact on these species interactions than the reintroduced wolves.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and the Environment·TypeObservational study·DateJun 27, 2024

Early childhood problems linked to persistent school absenteeism

A new study led by the University of Leeds found that children who are not considered 'school ready' by their teachers are more than twice as likely to become persistently absent. The researchers analyzed data from 62,598 children aged 5-13 and found that 67% of persistent absentees were considered 'not school ready'.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 26, 2024

Global consensus for sarcopenia

A new global definition of sarcopenia is proposed, aiming to unify research and clinical practice. The definition may help identify low muscle mass or strength in older people, increasing the risk of poor outcomes such as fragility and disability.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalAging-US·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJun 26, 2024

No assembly required

The Freeform Multi-material Assembly Process allows for the creation of complex devices with multiple materials, including plastics, metals, and semiconductors. This novel 3D printing and laser process enables the manufacture of multi-layered sensors, circuit boards, and even textiles with electronic components.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 24, 2024

Risky drinking even riskier for women

A significant number of Australian women (over 300,000) are drinking at very high-risk levels, with a greater proportion of men consuming alcohol at similar rates. Women are more susceptible to health problems from excessive drinking and may be affected by their natural biological rhythms.

SourceFlinders University·JournalDrug and Alcohol Review·TypeSystematic review·DateJun 20, 2024

Government updates race and ethnicity data collection standards: implications and insights

The revised standards capture a broader range of communities, enabling more precise data collection and analysis to identify and address health disparities. This shift has significant implications for policy and practice, with the potential to direct resources towards communities facing the greatest health challenges.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalHealth Equity·TypeCase study·DateJun 20, 2024

Dietary sucrose determines activity of lithium on gene expression and lifespan in drosophila melanogaster

Researchers found that lithium's efficacy in enhancing longevity and altering body composition is influenced by the sucrose content of the diet. The study reveals a significant overlap between the transcriptional responses to increasing dietary sucrose and adding lithium, suggesting a joint mechanism at play.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalAging-US·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 20, 2024

ASU researchers gain insight into how a deadly strain of salmonella fine-tunes its infection tactics

Researchers have gained insight into how a deadly strain of salmonella adapts to invasion, flourishing in hostile environments and evading immune defenses. The study sheds light on the role of fluid shear forces in bacterial behavior, which may accelerate the design of new therapies for life-threatening infections.

SourceArizona State University·JournalGut Microbes·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 14, 2024

Pairing shelter dogs has ‘pawsitive’ results

A study by Virginia Tech researchers found that shelter dogs paired with suitable companions exhibited reduced stress levels and were adopted more quickly. The findings suggest that matching dogs with compatible roommates could alleviate stress and improve their adoptability, leading to better outcomes for animal shelters.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateJun 12, 2024